Politics

As U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown (D) prepares to take over as Maryland’s attorney general more than a month from now, he’s hearing suggestions from people on how they hope he manages the office. Criminal justice advocates, attorneys and residents want Brown, who will become the state’s first Black AG, to continue the policies or improve the operations of the office currently held by Attorney General Brian Frosh (D), speak out when necessary and support proposed policies when the General Assembly convenes in January.

Col. Dennis J. Delp will become Baltimore County’s interim police chief beginning in early December as the county mounts a national search for a permanent replacement, the county announced Monday. The current police chief, Melissa Hyatt, will leave the department Dec. 5 at the conclusion of her contract, a decision announced by County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. last week. He has declined to comment on the reason behind her departure.

Outgoing Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced Monday that he was overruling decades of antiquated, racist legal opinions his predecessors had issued, wiping away some of the many vestiges of systems that denied equality to Black people. The 22 rulings, rendered unconstitutional by courts for decades, had helped state agencies uphold segregation, discriminate against people of color and deny marriage licenses based on race. While Frosh’s office noted the opinions now have no legal teeth, formally overruling them helps Maryland atone for generations of racist policies.

Regardless of the homicide rate, people like Congressman Kweisi Mfume said on the C4 and Bryan Nehman Show that the number is still too high. “Well, I’m sick and tired of it. I think most people are,” Mfume said. He added that many people are fearful of being on the street and concerned for the safety of their loved ones.

This map shows the precinct-level results for the 2022 gubernatorial election in Maryland. Hover over the various voting blocs to see how each area voted. To see results from your local precinct, type your address into the search bar at the bottom left of the map. The map will zoom in on your precinct. Percentage results will not always add up to 100% because we list results only for the Republican and Democratic candidates. Precinct shapefiles were provided from the Maryland Department of Planning.

Across the country, states are inking agreements with neighbors or striking out on their own to pursue billions in federal funding to set up “hydrogen hubs,” clustered centers for production, storage and use of the gas that many see as a crucial piece of the puzzle for decarbonizing the U.S. economy. How broad a role it should play, however, is a matter of debate. The U.S. Department of Energy is looking to dole out $7 billion from last year’s bipartisan infrastructure law that could fund up to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs, defined as “a network of clean hydrogen producers, potential clean hydrogen consumers and connective infrastructure located in close proximity” to be sited across the country.

Seemingly everyone at the Baltimore City Council meeting Thursday night could agree on one thing: the city’s existing inclusionary housing ordinance isn’t working. Passed in 2007, the law requires developers of market-rate housing to set aside affordable units for people with lower incomes, but it has led to the creation of only 37 affordable units. Instead, developers have paid into an offset fund or sought waivers. Now, the Baltimore City Council is taking another crack at inclusionary housing. A bill proposed by Councilwoman Odette Ramos and co-sponsored by a majority of the council would eliminate the loopholes allowed by the previous law, while also reducing the percentage of affordable units required.

With the 2022 state and county election results in the books, the Harford County Board of Education will have a new look on Dec. 5 when five new board members are sworn in. Newcomers Denise Perry, Melissa Hahn, Diane Alvarez, Carol Bruce and Wade Sewell have won seats on the school board. Incumbent Carol Mueller will keep her seat. The board will have a mix of members who will advocate for parental rights as well as members who will voice the opinions of educators. “Harford County Public Schools looks forward to welcoming and supporting all new board members,” said Jillian Lader, HCPS manager of communications.